By Caroline Katana
Residents living near quarry mining zones in Kasemeni Ward are set to benefit directly from mining activities following the launch of a process to operationalise Community Development Agreement Committees (CDACs), a legal framework aimed at ensuring mining firms support affected communities.
The initiative was discussed during a consultative meeting that brought together officials from the Ministry of Mining, the County Commissioner’s office, quarry operators, and county government representatives to deliberate on the implementation of the committees in quarry mining areas within Kasemeni Ward.
Speaking during the meeting, Kasemeni Ward MCA Victor Safari Nyanje said mining laws require quarry operators to remit one percent of their profits to communities affected by mining activities.
“For many years, we have been pushing quarry operators to support local communities, but now we thank God there is a law that guarantees communities do not lose out completely from the resources extracted from their land,” said Nyanje.
He said stakeholders had agreed to begin a new chapter aimed at ensuring the committees become operational and communities start receiving the benefits provided for under the law.
“We are going to hold public participation forums with communities where quarries operate to educate them about the law establishing these CDACs, explain the responsibilities of operators, and also allow residents to present their expectations before committees are elected,” he added.
Nyanje noted that within the next two months, stakeholders are expected to finalise discussions and sign agreements to officially operationalise the committees, paving the way for quarry operators to begin remitting royalties that will fund community development projects.
He also raised concerns over the environmental and social effects of quarry mining, including environmental degradation, health complications among residents, damaged roads, and cracks in houses and school buildings.
“Communities have suffered for years without any meaningful support from these operators. In many cases, I have had to allocate county funds to repair roads damaged by heavy quarry trucks shortly after construction,” he said.
Economic advisor to Kwale county governor, Anthony Yama
Representing Fatuma Achani, Antony Yama said the initiative seeks to fulfil constitutional requirements that mining companies share part of their revenues with host communities.
“Today’s meeting marks the beginning of a process to establish CDACs in affected areas of Kasemeni. Legally, the one percent contribution from mining companies should directly support development projects in the affected communities,” said Yama.
He lamented that communities living near quarry sites had endured decades of losses and disruptions without benefiting from the mining activities taking place around them.
“In areas such as Bonje and Mwamdudu, schools including Bonje Primary School and Mwamdudu School have been affected, yet residents have seen little support from operators despite enduring major disruptions since the 1980s,” he said.
Kwale county chief conservator, Elvis Katana Fondo
Kwale county chief conservator Elvis Katana Fondo emphasised that under the Forest Conservation and Management Act 2016, communities living near forests are entitled to benefit from activities taking place within forest ecosystems, including mining.
Fondo explained that community forest associations operate through various user groups responsible for activities such as eco-tourism, beekeeping, and mining, noting that mining activities must also have organised community oversight structures.
“If issues arise, the government must have a recognised community structure to engage with, and that is why these associations and plans are important,” he said.
He added that licensed quarry operators undertaking mining activities within the Mwache forest ecosystem are required to renew their licences annually while adhering to environmental and community regulations.
Meanwhile, Dickson Mbijiwe said the consultative meeting was convened following directives from Principal Secretary Harry Kimtai to fast-track the formation of CDACs in Kasemeni Ward, particularly in areas surrounding the Mwache ecosystem where several quarry operators are active.
“We had productive engagements and, going forward, we want to ensure residents’ expectations are met so they can benefit from the resources being extracted from their areas,” said Mbijiwe.
According to Mbijiwe, there are currently about six quarry sites operating within the Mwache area, with plans underway to establish similar committees in other quarry zones across Kasemeni Ward.
He urged residents to remain calm as the government works toward implementing a system that will ensure communities benefit from mining resources in their localities.
